Air compressor organizers

ABSTRACT

An air compressor device organizer including an organizing panel having a storage portion and an air compressor tank attachment element.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The embodiments relate to air compressor devices, such as tools andaccessories, and in particular to apparatus and method for aircompressor device organizers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Air compressors are used by many tradesmen, business owners andhomeowners for various tasks. Users of air compressors use a variety oftools and accessories. The various air compressor tools and accessoriesare usually stored a distance from the air compressor, which makes itinconvenient to users to retrieve and replace tools and accessories.Additionally, time is often wasted by a user trying to locate specificair compressor items as they may have been placed with other tools andaccessories in a tool box.

When a user uses an air compressor, air compressor tools and accessoriesmay be placed on the ground, a table, etc. Many times the tools oraccessories may become hidden by other tools or accessories, bemisplaced, etc.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention comprises an apparatus including amulti-device air compressor organizer with a storage portion. An airtank attachment portion includes at least one removable couplingportion.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises an air compressor deviceorganizer including an organizing panel having a storage portion and anair compressor tank attachment element.

Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a method providing anair compressor device organizer, and attaching the air compressor deviceorganizer to an air compressor tank.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an air compressor organizer accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the air compressor organizer shownwith an attachment portion in an uncoupled state with an upright aircompressor according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the air compressor organizer with anattachment portion shown in a coupled state to an upright air compressoraccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an air compressor organizer showncoupled to a pancake air compressor tank according to another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an air compressor organizershown being coupled to a pancake air compressor tank with couplingelements according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a process for attaching an aircompressor organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention and is not meant to limit theinventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of aircompressor organizers, as well as operation and/or component partsthereof. While the following description will be described in terms ofair compressor organizers and devices for clarity and to place theinvention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachingsherein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices andapplications.

One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus including amulti-device air compressor organizer with a storage portion. An airtank attachment portion includes at least one removable coupling portion

FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-device air compressor organizer 100 accordingto one embodiment of the invention. The multi-device air compressororganizer 100 includes a storage portion or panel 110. As illustrated,the multi-device air compressor organizer 100 includes an air tankattachment portion 120 including at least one removable coupling portion125. In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-device air compressororganizer 100 includes an air hose holding element 130 including areleasable retaining portion 135. In one example the air hose holdingelement 130 is a belt or strap attached to the front, back or bottomportion of the storage portion 110. In one embodiment of the invention,the air hose holding element 130 is removably attached to the storageportion 110. In another embodiment of the invention, the air hoseholding element 130 is permanently attached to the storage portion 110.

In one example, the releasable retaining portion 135 is a clip typedevice, a spring clip type device, a hook device, a carabineer typedevice, or any other similar type device. In another example, the airhose holding element 130 may be any other type of device, such as achain, a wire device, a hook, a bungee type device, etc.

In one example, the air tank attachment portion 120 may include anotherremovable coupling portion 125 on the other end 230 (see FIG. 2). Inanother example, the air tank attachment portion 120 may include morebelts or straps to improve stability of the multi-device air compressororganizer 100, where the additional belts or straps may be attached toalternate portions of the storage portion 110, such as the sides, theback, top, bottom, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the length of the air tankattachment portion 120 may be varied, may be adjustable, etc., forfitting different sized upright or vertical air compressor tanks. In oneexample, the length and width of the storage portion 110 may vary toaccommodate more or less air compressor tools and accessories. It shouldbe noted that the size of the storage portion 110 may be adapted tocover more or less area of an upright air compressor tank 205.

In one embodiment of the invention, the multi-device air compressororganizer 100 includes a handle (not shown) for accommodating thestorage portion 110 to be carried by a user. In one example, the airtank attachment portion 120 may be adjusted and used as a shoulder strapfor carrying the multi-device air compressor organizer 100. In anotherexample, the storage portion 110 includes one or more fastening elements(not shown) connected to the rear of the storage portion 110 forattaching to an air compressor tank. In one example, fastening elementsmay comprise hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, etc. In thisexample, the multi-device air compressor organizer 100 does not need theair tank attachment portion 120. In this example, the air tankattachment portion 120 is either not attached to the multi-device aircompressor organizer 100 or may be removed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the multi-device aircompressor organizer 200 shown with the air tank attachment portion 120being attached in the direction of the arrows around an upright aircompressor air tank 205 of an upright air compressor 210 according toone embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the multi-device aircompressor organizer 200 shown with the air tank attachment portion 120attached to an upright air compressor air tank 205.

In one embodiment of the invention, the removable coupling portion 125includes an insertion portion 220 and a locking portion 225. In oneexample, the removable coupling portion 125 may be other types of knownconnectors and/or combination of equivalent connectors.

In one embodiment of the invention the storage portion 110 includes oneor more air compressor tool holster type storage portions 250 and 255,which may be the same or differently sized. In one example, the storageportions 250 and 255 may include accessory holders or pockets. In oneexample, the storage portions 250 and 255 may be stretchable orexpandable to accommodate different sized air compressor tools.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage portion 110 includesmultiple storage pockets 240. In one example, the multiple storagepockets 240 may include layered vertical pockets comprising multiplelayers of material. As illustrated, the air hose holding element 130 isshown holding an air compressor air hose 215. In one example, thereleasable retaining portion 135 releases to allow use of the air hose215. In this example, the air hose 215 remains organized or untangledwhen stowed with the air hose holding element 130.

In one example, the various elements of the multi-device air compressororganizer 100/200 are made of material such as nylon, canvas material,hardened plastic, polymer materials, suede, synthetic suede, leather,synthetic leather, etc. In some embodiments of the invention, thereleasable retaining portion 135 and coupling portion 125 may be made ofa metal, metal alloy, hardened plastic, or other appropriate material.

FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-device air compressor organizer 400 accordingto another embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of theinvention, the multi-device air compressor organizer 400 includes astorage portion or panel 410. In one example, the front of the storageportion 410 includes at least one storage pocket, for example, storagepocket 415, storage pocket 425, or any other sized and shaped storagepocket. In another example, the front of storage portion 410 includesmultiple storage pockets, such as storage pockets 415, storage pocket425, vertical storage pockets (layered or not), horizontal storagepockets, etc. In another example, the storage portion 410 may onlycomprise a single storage pocket.

In one embodiment of the invention, the storage portion 410 includes astorage pocket that includes a closeable flap 420. In one example, thecloseable flap 420 may be secured by a hook and loop fastening pair, asnap pair, etc. In another example, the closeable flap 420 may bereplaced by a zipper closure, or other known closure equivalents.

In one example, the multi-device air compressor organizer 400 may bepermanently or removably attached to an air tank 405 of a pancake aircompressor 420. In one example, the storage portion 410 and elementsthereof may be made of material such as nylon, canvas material, hardenedplastic, polymer materials, suede, synthetic suede, leather, syntheticleather, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the length and width of the storageportion 410 may vary to accommodate more or less air compressor toolsand accessories while contoured and comprising a length and width forattaching neatly to standard pancake air compressor air tanks. It shouldbe noted that the size of the storage portion 410 may be adapted tocover more or less area of the pancake air compressor tank 405.

FIG. 5 illustrates the multi-device air compressor organizer 400 showingattachment of the back side 520 of the storage portion 410 to the airtank 405 of a pancake air compressor 420 in the direction of the arrows.In one embodiment of the invention, the back or reverse side 520 of thestorage portion 410 includes at least one pancake compressor air tankcoupling element 510.

In one example, the pancake compressor air tank coupling element 510 maycomprise a pair of hook and loop fastener elements or a magneticfastener. In another example, the pancake compressor air tank couplingelement 510 comprises multiple coupling elements, such as pairs of hookand loop fastener elements, magnets, etc. In yet another example, thepancake compressor air tank coupling element 510 may comprise apermanent attachment from an adhesive. In another embodiment of theinvention, the storage portion 410 may be connected to the air tank 405of the pancake air compressor 420 by other means for attaching, such asa strap, belt, stretchable material, bungee type connectors, metal ormetal alloy hanger, plastic or hardened plastic holding device, etc.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a process 600 for attaching an aircompressor device organizer to an air compressor tank. In block 610, anair compressor device organizer is provided, such as multi-device aircompressor organizer 100, 200 and 400. In block 620 the air compressordevice organizer is attached to an air compressor air tank, such as airtank 205 and 405. In one embodiment of the invention, the air compressordevice organizer provided in block 610 is configured for being attachedwith an air hose retaining element, such as the air hose holding element130. In one example, the air compressor device organizer is configuredfor attaching to an upright or vertical air compressor air tank. Inanother example, the air compressor device organizer is configured forattaching to a pancake air compressor air tank.

In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth.However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without these specific details. For example, well-knownequivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of thosedescribed herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may besubstituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In otherinstances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown indetail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.

Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but notnecessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,”“one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiments. If the specification states acomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or“could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic is not required to be included. If the specification orclaim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is onlyone of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “anadditional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one ofthe additional element.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1. An apparatus comprising: a multi-device air compressor organizerincluding a storage portion; and an air tank attachment portionincluding at least one removable coupling portion.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising an air hose holding element including areleasable retaining portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theair tank attachment portion is sized for removably coupling to anupright air compressor tank.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein theremovable coupling portion comprises an insertion portion and a lockingportion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage portioncomprises an air compressor device holster.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the multi-device air compressor organizer comprises at least oneorganizer portion comprising at least one holding portion.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one holding portion comprisesa plurality of storage pockets.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theair hose holding element is adjustable for holding different length aircompressor hoses.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air tankattachment portion comprises an adjustable strap for attaching to an aircompressor tank.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multi-deviceair compressor organizer comprises at least one pancake compressor airtank coupling element.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the atleast one pancake compressor air tank coupling element comprises atleast one hook and loop fastener pair.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the at least one pancake compressor air tank coupling elementcomprises at least one magnetic fastener.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the storage portion comprises at least one storage pocket. 14.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the storage portion comprises aplurality of layered pockets.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein theat least one storage pocket comprises a closeable flap.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the multi-device air compressor organizerhaving a height and width sized for attaching to a pancake aircompressor tank.
 17. An air compressor device organizer comprising: anorganizing panel comprising a storage portion; and an air compressortank attachment element.
 18. The air compressor device organizer ofclaim 17, further comprising an air compressor hose organizer portion.19. The air compressor device organizer of claim 17, wherein the aircompressor tank attachment element comprises an adjustable lengthremovable belt element.
 20. The air compressor device organizer of claim17, wherein the compressor tank attachment element comprises at leastone hook and loop fastener pair.
 21. The air compressor device organizerof claim 17, wherein the compressor tank attachment element comprises atleast one magnetic fastening element.
 22. The air compressor deviceorganizer of claim 17, wherein the storage portion includes a closeableelement.
 23. The air compressor device organizer of claim 17, whereinthe organizing panel is configured for removably coupling to an uprightair compressor tank.
 24. The air compressor device organizer of claim17, wherein the organizing panel is configured for removably coupling toa pancake air compressor tank.
 25. The air compressor device organizerof claim 17, wherein the storage portion includes an air compressor toolholster.
 26. A method comprising: providing an air compressor deviceorganizer; and attaching the air compressor device organizer to an aircompressor tank.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:attaching an air compressor air hose to a hose retaining element of theair compressor device organizer.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein theair compressor device organizer is configured for attaching to anupright air compressor tank.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the aircompressor device organizer is configured for attaching to a pancake aircompressor tank.